Squiggly drawings

For an assignment today I was asked to do a sketch of a bedroom.
For style inspiration I looked to Ludwig Bemelman's wonderful drawing of Miss Clavel in his Madeline book + the great 'room drawings' from the Clue game from the 1960s. Have always LOVED these!! (The illustrator is not credited unfortunately) With a slightly blobby line they remind me of Andy warhol's illustrations from the 1950s.
For content I found a photograph from Domino magazine of a stunning room with high ceilings, an elaborate fireplace and a pink daybed. Above is my squiggly interpretation of it. Lastly I combined some of my squiggly drawings with a photograph of Linda Rodin. I like the combo of the two mediums.

Canada is ga ga over Obama

Obama has just arrived.
The chemistry between Obama and our Governor General Michaelle Jean made me smile big.
Look at those smiles.
Also some great graphic images: the combo of the blue on his plane and the bright red of the mounties was striking!

New Work: Elle magazine

My latest piece for Elle magazine.
I have a monthly gig illustrating Tabatha Southey for her Ellegirl column.
(fyi I have seen her closet -- she really does have fabulous clothes like this!!)
I had fun adding the tile beside Morocco and the french toile in France.

New Work: Real Simple March issue

Illustration from the March issue of Real Simple.

Carl Rogers quote

What is most personal and unique in each of us is probably the very element which would, if it were shared or expressed, speak most deeply to others.
—Carl Rogers

New Work: Fine cooking magazine

This is a piece I just finished for Fine Cooking magazine. I am obsessed with pattern at the moment and am trying to incorporate it into all my illos. I think it adds a nice depth and I like the juxtaposition of a very busy pattern with line drawing. Here I included it in the wallpaper.
Art director Pamela Winn.

The aesthetic of Kate + Andy (Jack) Spade

Always inspiring. I love the contrast of the aged + yellowed book covers against the perfect white background. Reminds me of M Sasek.

I love these quotes

It is not always by plugging away at a difficulty and sticking to it that one overcomes it; often it is by working on the one next to it. Some things and some people have to be approached obliquely, at an angle.

You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

André Gide

I'd like to include these in a series of handwritten posters I'm working on which focus on the creative process.

Sketches: Reading girl

Am working on a series of readers. Trying to simplify the faces and would like to incorporate bold graphic fabric. This beautiful chair is called the Astrid chair from Anthropologie. (have always loved it!) So juicy and happy looking.

Inspiration: James Gulliver Hancock

James Gulliver Hancock: artist, illustrator, and animater inspires me to loosen up.
His shapes are very Buckminster Fullerish.
Above an image from one of his animated videos for Lenka.

Press: National Post

My Room of One's Own Print was featured as part of a Valentine Gift guide in The National Post today. (shown here slightly altered)

Thanks to Natalie Atkinson for her fun writing.

Press: Swiss Miss Blog

Very happy to report that Tina Eisenberg of Swiss Miss posted one of my illustrations today.
Thanks Tina!
Am going to have a glass of wine now.

New work: Alphabet cards

I had some ends left over from my beautiful BFK Rives silk screen paper so decided to screen the alphabet on them in red.
I will use them as note cards and wine tags.

Prints: Penguin book series

I have been tea staining the last remaining prints in my Penguin book series.
These pics show how I make the coffee ring with a pail dipped in tea.

Illustration: Anatomy of a Hipster

The original illustration included an ipod mini- so very 2004.
Here is the updated version with an iphone - ofcourse.